Headline by electro – dance Kaytranada and acclaimed singer – songwriter Mitski, the days were supported by the likes of Victoria Monet, Tems, Ethel Cain and Beabadoobee.
Now in its seventh year, All Points East (or for many regulars, known as APE) continues to do what’s best as 45,000 partygoers ventured to Victoria Park for a jam-packed weekend that led people from one stage to another, and that’s no lie. Even I felt like I was doing a marathon. But that didn’t stop attendees from enjoying a line-up filled with well-established leaders of RnB and electronic music to the growing esque of indie pop bolstered by the blissful weather.
Commencing Saturday with up-and-coming Lou Phelps, BINA, and Kitty Ca$h, the park fastly filled as the time hit evening and Channel Tres eighties electro sound wooed the crowd; followed by Australian singer-songwriter & rapper Tkay Maidza, who was finally able to show off her acclaimed sophomore album, Sweet Justice in front of a well-deserved crowd. Thrilled by her “first festival in London”, hits such as ‘WUACV’ & ‘Ghost!’ didn’t disappoint and proved this won’t be her last time in the city.
As dusk hits, the glimmer of dust sweeps across the park and lovers of three-time Grammy winner Victoria Monet swooped to the East Stage with a set filled with nostalgic noughties RnB and modern pop. Elevated by a well-rehearsed choreography and a crowd that was avid of her music, the California hitmaker truly knew how to put a performance on. And that wasn’t the end. From the lapped-up ‘Alright’ & ‘Jaguar’ to the glistening mic-drop of ‘On My Mama’, Monet made the stage like it was her hometown show. However, its worth mentioning that All Points East sound systems continues to be a hassle as I struggle to hear a full set.
You would have thought that was the end of the day (Victoria Monet’s next step is arguably a headliner slot), but Tems really stole the limelight with the biggest crowd All Points East’s West Stage has seen. Gushing over every minute of her act, “This is massive for me, this crowd is massive”, Nigerian producer & singer brought it down a knot with her first ever song she wrote, ‘Mr Rebel’. However, she fully got the crowd on board with ‘Burning’ & ‘Love Me JeJe’ accompanied by a nimble live band and soothing jazz vocals. The soulful star has finally cemented herself within mainstream music and won’t be looking back.
Talking of back-to-back acts, the night has come, and Kaytranada returned to London not long after his album launch with a bang. It was clear within the whispers of the on-lookers of All Points East that everyone was here for one reason, and that was for Louis Kevin Celestin. Five years after his Lovebox appearance, the established electronic producer has proved to his haters he only does one thing, and that is being a headliner.
Hitting the stage with a backdrop of six monolithic slabs that shifted visual effects from song to song, Celestin has an entirely new set of materials following his third record, Timeless. And he didn’t disappoint as he gave the album its UK live debut alongside a few secret spots. As the smoke settled and the crowd watched on, Celestin stood there with nothing else except himself with hit collaborations ‘Witchy’ featuring Childish Gambino & ‘Snap My Finger’ featuring PinkPatheress but fully came into force with fan favourite ‘10%’ ft Kali Uchis and the un-released remix of ‘Cuff It’ by Beyonce.
Shouting behind the decks of the DJ, “I love you London, from the bottom of my heart,” Celestin, aka Kaytranada, closes the first day of All Points East in true fashion and one that was a sentiment to his career.
Moving to the early afternoon of Sunday, it was clear where we were heading after coming out of Mile End station. Lacy white dresses, floral headwear and art burlesque attire surrounded the streets and fans were eager to flock Victoria Park for a day of leftfield alternative music. In all honesty whilst Friday was the perfect slot for a night to let loose, I was in my element.
Starting the day with American country alt band Infinity Water to upcoming singer SIENNA SPRIRO gracing the Amex Unsigned stage, the sun had settled, and fans were ready for Ethel Cain. An artist who has risen from the oaths of USA and finally finding her feet in the UK, the enthusiastic crowd lapped every minute. While for some don’t get the hype, it is clear that her hit 2022 debut album took a storm with singles ‘Thoroughfare’ & ‘American Teenager’ taking to stage and the backdrop of gothic soaked production and ethereal vocals, allowed Cain to bring the drama to the East Stage.
As I took in every minute of the above, I had the grating whispers of my boyfriend reminding me of Suki Waterhouse. And in his argument only wanting to see her hit single ‘Moves’, he was in luck as he ran into the tent and I scrambled behind, actress turning singer graced to the stage with the sounds of her popular track. After a few not so well -known tracks, we moved over to French – Canadian outfit Men I Trust as the sunset hit over West Stage. From ‘Show Me How’ to ‘Oncle Jazz’, crowd took them in ease and one to chill with a pint in your hand.
Meanwhile crowds hit to each stage, the likes of Beabadoobee arrival to the main stage was greeted by a reception that was a testament to her rise and off the back of her number one album This Is How Tomorrow Moves, it was evident that Mitski support act was the perfect slot. Though admittedly not aware of the artists music, singles such as ‘Take a Bite’ and ‘Ever Seen’ has maybe even made me become a fan.
With the night nearing to the star of the day, TV Girl closed off West Stage in addictive charm as their ‘Lovers Rock’ has taken the past year by surprise and Arlo Parks bought the North Stage to an end; Mitski finally arrived to her first ever headline festival slot.
Truly stealing the show, American singer-songwriter smouldered the night with country -inflected songs that drew All Points East to close and the full moon shined across the stunned crowd. Providing a 24-song set celebrating over a decade career, fans including the newly couple Paul Mescal and Gracie Abrams were in for a treat as the warmth & colour soundscape intertwined with the presence of an artist that really knew her identity.
Tempo by sophisticated compositions that fit between the new age of music that some struggle to work with, Mitski ‘I Don’t Like My Mind’, rubbed the shoulders followed by the strumming of ‘The Frost’ and atmospheric ‘I Bet on Losing Dogs’ that led to the artist crawling around the stage floor. In all, Mitski shrugged off her nerves and took the night in her stride.
Interacting with the crowd and even finding out about Brat summer aka Charli XCX latest work, the romantic lament of ‘My Love Is All Mine’ hit and a few tracks leading to the closer ‘Washing Machine Heart’ meant the 90 minutes unfortunately came to a close.
Whilst All Points East has it flaws, it can’t be ignored that the summer festival is one to be not missed within the city and with the growing popularity of genre – blended headlines, the long running festival is here to stay.
Follow All Points East On Instagram
Words: Ross Mondon